Artsakh Minister of Defense Movses Hakobyan visited Gyumri yesterday and, in a surprise move, he brought along 123 soldiers serving on the Artsakh frontlines who hail from the local province of Shirak.

Minister Hakobyan told a packed audience in Gyumri’s Dramatic Arts Theater that the soldiers, whom he classified as exemplary, would be given a five day leave as a gift to their parents.

“I have come to Gyumri to personally thank the parents of these soldiers,” the minister told the audience.

Hakobyan declared that the only thing preventing Azerbaijan from resuming military action against Artsakh was the determination and dedication of the Armenian armed forces.

“Rest assured that peace reigns today in Artsakh solely due to the strength of soldiers like these. These men of Shirak are fulfilling their national obligation with distinction. Your children are proudly carrying on the successes of the older generation,” the minister said.